ISO 59000 Standards for the Circular Economy: a Call for Accuracy

Abstract

With the expressed aim of reducing uncertainty and lack of precision about the Circular Economy paradigm, several standards are being proposed by standard-setting bodies. The world’s most prominent body — the International Organization for Standardization — is developing the ISO 59000 family of standards to establish a common language and conceptual framework for the Circular Economy. In the light of the vigorous debate in the scientific literature about the Circular Economy, as well as criticism of the concepts involved, this perspective article calls for more precision in the definition of this type of standard.